Gulf Front Condo View on Bonita Beach

Bonita Beach Sunset Kite Surfing

Many years ago I was visiting the Grand Canyon and asked a waiter at El Tovar if he had ever gotten used to seeing it.  The Canyon is an absolute miracle and I still can’t look at it without tearing up.  The waiter saw it every day.  Had it become invisible?  He guessed it took about three months to disappear for him.  He just didn’t notice it any more.

When he asked me why I asked, I let him know that I live just a few miles from the Gulf of Mexico, Bonita Beach, Florida.  He immediately said, “The ocean?  You must go to the beach every day!” 

Strangely, the beach, Bonita Beach, becomes the Grand Canyon for some of us that live here long enough.  Sometimes I drive by it and barely notice.  Sometimes I go months without even seeing it if I don’t have a reason to drive down Hickory Blvd. 

We had a cold rainy spell this week so when the sun came out just before sunset I decided to go Bonita Beach and watch that sun go down.  Well, it was cold and I didn’t have enough gear. I stayed for a minute, just long enough to snap a few shots of Jaime the Kite Surfer giving someone a kite surfing lesson.

From what I understand, and from the look of the abs the kite surfers have, it is a strenuous sport.  This guy was just learning to manage the whole situation on the sand before he gets his ass kicked on the water.   

I did manage to take one  other picture at the beach where the strong waves and wind cut the shore  … before my chattering teeth ended up back in the car.

Enjoy this *almost* Bonita Beach sunset, wherever you might be:

Warm and Toasty Florida Beaches

Bonita Springs Real Estate takes on a new appeal when there are blizzard like conditions up north.  When folks get snowed in or have just had their fill of cold they start surfing the web and they remember their friends in sunny southwest Florida. 

Yesterday, I had a chat with a fellow on the phone from somewhere in the northeast that was totally buried.  It seems that he has family with real estate in Bonita Springs, Estero and Naples and was getting ribbed about the weather.  It sort of dawned on him that maybe owning in Florida might be a good idea since prices were so low and Bonitians don’t have to shovel our precipitation.

We have the phone phenomenon happen every winter, every blizzard, every Alberta Clipper.  It’s at least fun to chat with folks when they call so I remember to appreciate our mild winters. 

I figured that since there are arctic blasts crossing the country I should put up a pretty picture of Bonita Beach in Bonita Springs, Florida to help everyone day dream.  Happy day dreaming!

If It’s Alive, You Will Be Fined

We’ve had a recent rash of people getting busted for allegedly taking shell fish from Bonita Beach.  Not just by the park and local police authorities but by Bonitians that know the rules and respect the beach and the wild life enough to stop the shell gatherers.

For whatever reason, beach visitors are finding the sand dollars are out and they’re loading them up to take them home for what ever crafting or Christmas tree decorating project they had in mind.  It’s just wrong and it’s against the law.  What the heck is wrong with people killing living creatures for ornaments, anyway?

Here’s the rules about shellfish.  If any part of it is wiggling or moving, throw it back.  If it’s an empty shell on shore, load it up and take it home.  Besides the shell fish, you shouldn’t bother birds or turtles, either.  Most of the critters at the beach are protected so you best steer clear.  Even the sea oats are protected … so don’t pick those, either.   That whole, “Take only pictures, leave only footprints” slogan is for real.  You’re not allowed to take anything alive away with you when you leave Bonita Beach.

The fine for having live shellfish starts at $500 and goes up from there, including up to sixty days jail time.  You’re too pretty for prison, so tow the line.  Didn’t you see the sign on the way to the beach anyway?

Clear Water at  Barefoot Beach and Bonita Beach

The southwest Florida summer storms sure do make for some beautiful skies and dramatic photos.

Gulf Front Condominium on Bonita Beach

At the northern end of Bonita Beach sit the condos that enjoy prime gulf front and beach views.  The Casa Bonita Condominium buildings enjoy the spoils of being positioned on Little Hickory Island.  Casa Bonita Grande is one four of the Casa Bonita series on the Gulf of Mexico.

Casa Bonita Grande is an eight story, high rise building with fifty-four units total.  Each residence offers two bedrooms, two baths and floor plans vary from 1060-1371 square foot in air conditioned living space. 

The Casa Bonita Grande building was constructed in 1976.  Units are owned individually so they are decorated to the personality of the owner.  Some units have been renovated and updated while others may need more current decor.

As with many of the beach front condos on Hickory Boulevard many of the units at Casa Bonita Grande are conveniently sold turnkey furnished.  The units are popular rentals especially during tourist season due to their close proximity to the beach.  Tenants and owners are able to walk out the door and have sand on their feet just paces from the building.

Gulf Front Pool at Casa Bonita Grande

Other amenities at Casa Bonita Grande include a sun deck and swimming pool just steps to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, poolside hot tub, grilling area, exercise room, extra storage, library, shuffleboard, trash chute, vehicle wash area and community room.Within walking distance of Casa Bonita Grande is access to walking paths, the LeeTran Trolley system that offers public transportation to  the Center at Bonita Springs and the Fort Myers Beach thoroughfare.   Big Hickory Seafood Grille and Marina is across the street from Casa Bonita Grande and the other Casa buildings that include Casa Bonita I, Casa Bonita II and the bay side building called Casa Bonita Royale. Doc’s Beach House is a short bike ride away at the south end of Bonita Beach.

Casa Bonita Grande is conveniently located approximately 30 minutes from Southwest Florida International Airport, twenty minutes to fine dining and shopping at Coconut Point Mall, 20 Minutes to Downtown Naples and 30 minutes to Sanibel and Captiva Islands. 

Casa Bonita Grande of Bonita Beach is located at 25900 Hickory Blvd., Bonita Springs, Florida:

Map to Casa Bonita Grande

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Bonita Springs’ Beaches Remain Oil Free

Photo taken 6-22-2010 8:00 p.m.

No Oil on Bonita Beach or Barefoot Beach

We’ve been posting pictures every few days for curious homeowners and potential buyers who are worried about the situation.  Read also: Bonita Beach Photo Report

The Salty Surf Club of Bonita Beach is a trip down memory lane to the quaint fishing villages of yesterday.  Built in 1983, The Salty Surf Club is a located at the north end of Hickory Blvd.  The complex itself is small in stature and features a laid back atmosphere with a seashell parking lot and Key West cabana like feel.

There are only eight residences at The Salty Surf Club.  Rarely do units at The Salty Surf Club change hands and are they are usually sold privately.

Each condominium unit has one bedroom, one bath and is about four hundred-forty square feet of living area.  The Salty Surf Club is located between The West Bay Club beach park and Silver Sands of Bonita Beach Condominium.

Naturally, the best feature of The Salty Surf Club is Bonita Beach, the Gulf of Mexico and a fresh, classic Florida sunset over blue water nearly every single day.

Hickory Blvd. is lined with wide asphalt walking paths for walking, jogging and biking.  The Lee Tran Trolley system access from US 41 through Hickory to the Fort Myers Beach down town square area.  Nearby shopping and dining can be found at The Promenade of Bonita Springs at Bonita Bay as well as Coconut Point Mall.

The Salty Surf Club is located at 26190 Hickory Blvd., Bonita Springs, Florida:

Beachfront condominiums on Bonita Beach also include:

• The Ambassador Condominium | Bonita Springs, Florida

• Bonita Beach Club | Bonita Springs, Florida

• Dolphin Way on Bonita Beach | Bonita Springs Florida

• The Egret on Bonita Beach | Bonita Springs, Florida

• Hickory Shores Condominium at Bonita Beach Bonita Springs, Florida

• Pelican Pointe at Bonita Beach | Bonita Springs, Florida

• Seascape on Bonita Beach | Bonita Springs Florida

• Silver Sands Condominium at Bonita Beach | Bonita Springs, Florida

• Windsong Condominium | Bonita Springs, Florida